Ukrainian speedster drawing renewed Arsenal attention

After being linked with the player in recent months, Arsenal may finally make their move for Ukrainian forward Andriy Yarmolenko this summer.

The news comes on the back of reports that Lukas Podolski’s supposed transfer to North London may not be as assured as thought at first.

German media outlets have reported that Podolski’s Arsenal switch from Cologne is 78% likely to go through and Yarmolenko is supposedly being kept as an alternative signature.

The winger made 30 starts for Dynamo Kiev last season, scoring 12 goals and registering seven assists in the process.

Yarmolenko has been tipped as “the next Andriy Shevchenko” by many in the Ukrainian media and is currently valued at £13m; a similar price to Lukas Podolski.

The attacker has also featured for the Ukrainian national side on 18 occasions, scoring seven goals.

Yarmolenko’s deal with the Kiev side is set to run out in December of next year and although he might be keen to stay in his native homeland, a move to the Premier League may tempt the youngster.

Another factor in the deal may depend on whether Theo Walcott remains at the Emirates Stadium with some predicting a summer move away for the England international.

Juventus have arisen as one very interested party in gaining Walcott’s signature with Chelsea also thought to have enquired about his availability.

After a rocky first half to the 2011-12 campaign, some of the Gunners squad may have become disillusioned with the direction the club is heading in and as always, the transfer could depend on whether or not Robin van Persie, who remains linked with a move away, sticks with the English giants this summer.